The £500,000 is part of £15 million Tesco has raised across the UK through the National Charity Partnership and will help fund research into diabetes as well as supporting newly diagnosed people at Living with Diabetes Days.

In addition it is supporting a new information and advice resource to help families with diabetes to shop, cook and eat well with the condition which is being launched on World Diabetes Day – Friday 14th November. For more information please visit www.diabetes.org.uk/enjoyfood.

And the money raised in the 50-plus Tesco stores in Northern Ireland is also helping to extend the opening hours of Diabetes UK Careline (0345 123 2399), which offers free advice and support.

Alan Hanna, National Director for Diabetes UK Northern Ireland, said: “Tesco colleagues in Northern Ireland have shown amazing dedication and energy in supporting our partnership and we are hugely grateful for their brilliant fundraising efforts.”

“Colleagues have been working incredibly hard to raise such a fantastic amount for this important cause and we hope to raise even more in the coming months. A very big thank you goes to our customers for supporting our efforts in aid of the charity.”